Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-06-25
TOPOLOBAMpo.
4 QUEER getty Dy THE Sea- ON
THE COAST OF SINALOA.
Statements by the Alleged Starving
Victims Concerning Their Condi-
ton ald Manner of Living.
Especial REcoRp-Uv1oN Correspondence. |

We have heard good deal of late about
the sufiierings of those Topolobsmpo col
onists of Socialistic proclivities who, some
naenths ago, forsook the United States to
establish new homes in Mexico according
70 their own advanced" opinions. Haz>
rowing items have gore the rounds of the
press, representing the already disguised
and impoverished victims of yillaiRous
or hair Drained scheme as sitting az this
moment on bleak rocks by the see, in a
furnishing condition and pining for home,
but with no money to get away vita; and
it has been alleged that there has been not
only gross acknowledgement on the part of
Colonel A. L. Owen, the Moses of the ex-
odus, but deliberate rascality, in deluding
those who trusted him, and appropriating
to himself their worldly all.
There are two sides to all questions, and
this certainly cannot be called one of small
importance Therefore, wishing to get at
the truth of the matter, and knowing from
personal acquaintance in the East that Col.
Owen stands among the highest as a man of
undoubted integrity as well as one of ex
ceptional ability, determined to get at
the other side of this picture-the side of
the colonist themselves. Not being pre-
pared to visit the field in person just yet,
have been in correspondence with some of
the so-called " sufferers" and can now give
you first-hand, without prejudice or person.
al interest,
THEIR OWN VOLUNTARY STATEMENTS,
Of the actual condition of affairs at this
time. Space will not permit reproduction
entire of the several letters now before me,
but q few extracts will set forth the par
ticulars of greatest consequence. Since
these letters were written in confidence
have no right 10 publish the names of the
senders; but to any who are genuinely in
terested enough to make personal inquiries
| can give the addresses of coloniSts now in
Sinaloa, who may be reached by similar
private correspondence.
Says one-not colonist himself, but
who resided some time among them IA
quaint, peculiar colony is this of Topolo-
bampo, in more ways than one, and
marked are its members for earnest, reso-
lutte purpose, and for the industry, skill, ed
ucation, patient determination and intelli-
gence which distinguishes their everyday
life. Yet these worthy persons, engaged in
business enterprise in which they have
simply put their own money and their own
services, to the exclusion of borrowed CAPT.
tai and hired labor, have been abused, be-
trayed, maligned and misrepresented, prob
ably more than any other emigrants of
modern times, if we except the persecu-
tons which from time to time have been
made against members of religious sects
who have separated from their countrymen
and gone to make new homes among
strangers. 1t is amusing to witness the
quiet humor which plays upon the
ooUNTENANcEs OF THE ToPoLoBAMpoAYs,
While the secretary of their meetings is
reading some of the criticisms of them
selves, their harbor, back country, climate.
etc, as published in papers of the United
States; and happy have they been since
those 'conspirators.' (the name by which
the Hawkins-Eaton party are now known
In Slnaloa), stole away between two DAYS
and sailed for Guyamas
| asked Colonel Owen, who has remained
with the colonistS as much as the eastern
end of the business would permit, what be
thought of the harsh comments concern
ing the enterprise and himself. Ignoring
the latter part of the question as a matter
OF little moment he said; when God
made Paradise you know that to fully
show its merits by contrast he also made a
hell-hence we have Lucifer. The Credit
Foncier Company inaugurated its cooper
lected zone between the rivers-in the
Mesopotamia of Mexico's western coast.
between the rivers Fuerte and Sinaloa; but
IN order to show off the existing attractions
and actual advantage of the location and
enterprise 1t was necessary to have blacl,
back-ground-hence the good angels gave
us HdwkiRS"
That these plucky colonists have been
able to continue strong and happy after a
drought which threatened famine in
northern 5inaloa, an epidemic of measles
and an another OF smallpox, a wel-planned
conspiracy by three of their own Directors
these unexpected calamities all coming
upon them at once when newly arrived in
strange land, contending with the diff
culties of location never before inhabited
by man, covered with thick growth of
mesquite and cacti, inconvenience for
fresh water, and apparently out of reach
from everywhere-speaks in action that is
eloquent mere forcibly than any words,
of the strength of their convictions and the
stuff that is within them.
COLONY EXPERIENCES.
Says my correspondent: AZ passed six
weeks among these good folk, and during
that period paid two visits to each of their
settlements-that at the harbor and those
called Cohuinahui, Suffrage, and Veeaton !:
/ have travelled over their thirty-fye miles
OF wagon road cut straight through the
monte, from North avenue. on the building
site fronting Ohuera bay, to Vegaton on
the left bank of the Fuerte; | have sailed
I'D and down the beautiful bav between
the stone piers of Topolobampo and Quay
mas, in the 25-ton sloop Fortuna, which
belongs to the Credit Foncier Company, and
Is captained and manned by the colonists :
and | wish to bear emphatic testimony
to the fact that the Topolobampo people
have come to stay, and will show marked
record for thrift and good management
which cannot fail to produce astonishing
results within year from the time Of their
landing at Schellhaus cove and commenc-
ing to tear away their bushes that they
might pitch their tents.
There is no noise nor bluster in the
gatherings of the colonists, no loud words
nor din OF business, very little smoking
and no quarrelipg whatever. A Quiet. in
tellectual, determined atmosphere peryades
the place, and doubt if there were ever a
group OF 327 persons (the number now in
Slnaloa), SO recently acquainted with one
another. as happy, industrious, contented
and free from diseases and ailments of any
KIND as are these Americans in Sinaloa.
They have plenty. of good drinking water
at the landing, and of course that on the
tuerte (strong) river is superior par ex-
celience. The supply Of food, brought
from Colorado, Illinois, California. ETC,
has been abundant, and of good and va
ried quality. The fish supply is inexhaust-
ible. They have also ducks, deer and pee
carries, besides turtle flesh and eggs. oys-
tiers, clans, etc, while during at least two
months of the year wild duck eggs are as
plentiful as biackberries in New England
MEETINGS OF THE coLoSIsTs, ETC.
On Sunday evenings the colonists have
public readings; Monday and Tuesday
evenings they hold meetings for general
discussion; and on Saturday evening the
young and risky folk dance in the great
dining hall from to 10 o'clock.
The work which these people have
already accomplished shows in all that
stretch of country between the sea and the
valley. They have cleared the ridge on
the north side of the Straits of Joshua.
west OF their landing; thier stone pier has
been extended into twelve feet water
they have staked the corners of the blocks
fronting the straits; built q stone house at
the landing. 1ooxl00 feet, with walls three
feet thick, and in it have housed about
seventy persons. This is called "Harhor
Hall" The dining-room in it is 43xI4 feet.
their kitchen, 29x14 store-room, 26x14;
and they also have laundry under the
same root. In this encampment are about
$50 persOns